Scoping racking board

ABSTRACT

A racking board for supporting drill pipe comprises first and second frames, the second frame mounted on the first and movable between an open position and a closed position and having at least a first pivotably fingerboard mounted thereon. The first fingerboard pivots between a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position. The racking board may also include a movable third frame mounted on the first frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. The second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than in the closed position. The first and second fingerboards each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots and fingers on one fingerboard interleave with fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priorityfrom U.S. provisional application No. 62/418,574, filed Nov. 7, 2016,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Racking boards are structures of drilling rigs used to store drill pipeor pipe stands on the drilling rig. Positioned above the standoff,racking boards include a plurality of fingerboards to allow pipe standsto be stored vertically on the drilling rig, for example, during atripping out or tripping in operation. The racking boards are typicallysized with respect to the anticipated number of pipe stands to be usedin drilling the wellbore. However, because the drilling rig componentsincluding the racking board need to be transportable, larger rackingboards may need to be disassembled or may require transport as anoversized load.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a racking board for supporting drill pipecomprises a first frame and a second frame mounted thereon, the secondframe being movable between an open position and a closed positionrelative to the first frame, and at least a first fingerboard mounted onthe second frame. The first fingerboard may be pivotably mounted on thesecond frame and may have a first orientation when the second frame isin the open position and a second orientation when the second frame isin the closed position. The first orientation of the first fingerboardmay be substantially parallel to the second frame and the secondorientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially not parallelto the second frame.

The racking board may further include a third frame mounted on the firstframe and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. Like thesecond frame, the third frame may be movable between an open positionand a closed position relative to the first frame. The second and thirdframes are farther apart in the open position than they are in theclosed position.

The first and second fingerboards may each include a plurality offingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and the fingers oneach fingerboard may align with the slots on the other fingerboard. Thefingers on each fingerboard may interleave with the fingers on the otherfingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

In some embodiments, a drilling system may comprise a mast and atelescoping racking board pivotably mounted on the mast, the rackingboard comprising a first frame and a second frame, the second framebeing movable between an open position and a closed position relative tothe first frame; and a first fingerboard pivotably mounted on the secondframe, wherein the first fingerboard pivots between a first orientationwhen the second frame is in the open position and a second orientationwhen the second frame is in the closed position. The first orientationof the first fingerboard may be substantially parallel to the secondframe and the second orientation of the first fingerboard may besubstantially not parallel to the second frame.

The system may further include a third frame and a second fingerboardpivotably mounted thereon. The third frame may be movable between anopen position and a closed position relative to the first frame and thesecond and third frames may be farther apart in the open position thanthey are in the closed position. The first and second fingerboards mayeach include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slotstherebetween. The fingers on each fingerboard may align with the slotson the other fingerboard and may interleave with the fingers on theother fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

In other embodiments, a method comprises the steps of a) providing atelescoping racking board at a desired location, the racking boardhaving closed and open configurations and being provided in the closedconfiguration, b) opening the racking board from the closedconfiguration to the open configuration, c) storing at least one tubularin the racking board, d) removing the tubular from the racking board,and e) closing the racking board from the open configuration to theclosed configuration. The racking board may include a first frame and asecond frame, the second frame being movable between an open positionand a closed position relative to the first frame, and at least a firstfingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, and the firstfingerboard may pivot between a first orientation when the second frameis in the open position and a second orientation when the second frameis in the closed position. The first orientation of the firstfingerboard may be substantially parallel to the second frame and thesecond orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially notparallel to the second frame.

The racking board may further include a third frame and a secondfingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. The third frame may be movablebetween an open position and a closed position relative to the firstframe. The second and third frames may be farther apart in the openposition than they are in the closed position. The the first and secondfingerboards may each include a plurality of fingers defining aplurality of slots therebetween. The fingers on each fingerboard alignwith the slots on the other fingerboard and may interleave with thefingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closedposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasizedthat, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, variousfeatures are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the variousfeatures may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 depicts a partial side view of a mast of a drilling rig includinga scoping racking board consistent with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a scoping racking board consistent with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a scoping racking board consistent with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure in an open position.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 3 in aclosed position.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 3in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 4in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides manydifferent embodiments, or examples, for implementing different featuresof various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangementsare described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, ofcourse, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 depicts a scoping racking board 100 coupled to the mast 10 of adrilling rig. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may bepivotably coupled to mast 10. In some such embodiments, scoping rackingboard 100 may include one or more mast couplers 101 which may, in someembodiments, be flanges positioned to receive pin 103 to couple to acorresponding flange on mast 10. In some embodiments, scoping rackingboard 100 may be adapted to pivot relative to mast 10 between a deployedposition as depicted in FIG. 1 and a folded, transport position. In someembodiments, folding cylinder 105 may be used to move scoping rackingboard 100 between the deployed position and the transport position.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 2-6, scoping racking board 100may include a fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, mastcouplers 101 may be mechanically coupled to or formed as part of fixedracking board frame 107. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100may include a first scoping frame 109 a and a second scoping frame 109b. First and second scoping frames 109 a, 109 b may be mechanicallycoupled to fixed racking board frame 107 such that they are slidablehorizontally relative to fixed racking board frame 107. In someembodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include one or more hydrauliccylinders 111 a, 111 b positioned to cause translation of first andsecond scoping frames 109 a, 109 b respectively between the openposition as depicted in FIGS. 3, 5 and the closed position as depictedin FIG. 4, 6. In other embodiments, hydraulic cylinders may be replacedby other scoping mechanisms. In some embodiments, by drawing first andsecond scoping frames 109 a, 109 b inward to the closed position asdepicted in FIGS. 4, 6, the overall width of scoping racking board 100may be reduced. In some embodiments, the width of scoping racking board100 may be reduced sufficiently that it is transportable by road withoutincurring additional fees or requiring additional permits. In someembodiments, for example and without limitation, the width of scopingracking board 100 in the closed position may be 14 feet or less. Thescoping capability of the racking board, also referred to astelescoping, may allow scoping racking board 100 to be transported whilecoupled to mast 10 of a drilling rig.

In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include a firstfingerboard assembly 113 a and second fingerboard assembly 113 b. Insome embodiments, first fingerboard assembly 113 a may be pivotablycoupled to first scoping frame 109 a by first hinge assembly 115 apositioned at or near the end of first scoping frame 109 a farthest fromfixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, second fingerboardassembly 113 b may be pivotably coupled to second scoping frame 109 b bysecond hinge assembly 115 b positioned at or near the end of secondscoping frame 109 b farthest from fixed racking board frame 107. In someembodiments, first fingerboard assembly 113 a may include firstfingerboard end rail 117 a and one or more pipe fingers 119 a thatextend from first fingerboard end rail 117 a toward fixed racking boardframe 107. In some embodiments, second fingerboard assembly 113 b mayinclude second fingerboard end rail 117 b and one or more pipe fingers119 b that extend from second fingerboard end rail 117 b toward fixedracking board frame 107. In some embodiments, pipe fingers 119 a may bepositioned such that they are aligned with the spaces between pipefingers 119 b.

In some embodiments, as scoping racking board 100 is moved, ortelescoped, from the open position depicted in FIG. 5 to the closedposition depicted in FIG. 6, first and second fingerboard assemblies 113a, 113 b may pivot upward relative to first and second scoping frames109 a, 109 b respectively at first and second hinge assemblies 115 a,115 b. Because pipe fingers 119 a are positioned such that they arealigned with spaces between pipe fingers 119 b, as first and secondscoping frames 109 a, 109 b are retracted, pipe fingers 119 a, 119 b mayinterleave as depicted in FIG. 6, allowing first and second scopingframes 109 a, 109 b to fully retract into the closed position.

Similarly, as scoping racking board 100 is moved, or telescoped, fromthe closed position depicted in FIG. 6 to the open position depicted inFIG. 5, first and second fingerboard assemblies 113 a, 113 b may pivotdownward relative to first and second scoping frames 109 a, 109 brespectively at first and second hinge assemblies 115 a, 115 b and pipefingers 119 a, 119 b move apart. While telescoping racking board 100 inits open position, it can be used to store lengths of pipe, or tubulars,for use in a drilling process. When the drilling process is complete,the telescoping racking board 100 can be shifted to its closed positionand may then be transported by any desired means, such as on a truck.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a personof ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of thepresent disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerousequivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One ofordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily usethe present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying otherprocesses and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Oneof ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A racking board for supporting drill pipe;comprising: a first frame and a second frame mounted thereon, the secondframe being movable between an open position and a closed positionrelative to the first frame; and at least a first fingerboard mounted onthe second frame.
 2. The racking board of claim 1 wherein the firstfingerboard is pivotably mounted on the second frame and has a firstorientation when the second frame is in the open position and a secondorientation when the second frame is in the closed position.
 3. Theracking board of claim 1 wherein the first orientation of the firstfingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame and the secondorientation of the first fingerboard is not substantially parallel tothe second frame.
 4. The racking board of claim 1, further including athird frame mounted on the first frame and a second fingerboardpivotably mounted thereon, wherein the third frame is movable between anopen position and a closed position relative to the first frame.
 5. Theracking board of claim 4 wherein the second and third frames are fartherapart in the open position than they are in the closed position.
 6. Theracking board of claim 4 wherein the first and second fingerboards eachinclude a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slotstherebetween and wherein the fingers on each fingerboard align with theslots on the other fingerboard.
 7. The racking board of claim 6 whereinthe fingers on each fingerboard interleave with the fingers on the otherfingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.
 8. A drillingsystem, comprising: a mast; a telescoping racking board pivotablymounted on the mast, the racking board comprising: a first frame and asecond frame, the second frame being movable between an open positionand a closed position relative to the first frame; and a firstfingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, wherein the firstfingerboard has a first orientation when the second frame is in the openposition and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closedposition.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first orientation of thefirst fingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame and thesecond orientation of the first fingerboard is not substantiallyparallel to the second frame.
 10. The system of claim 8, furtherincluding a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mountedthereon, wherein the third frame is movable between an open position anda closed position relative to the first frame.
 11. The system of claim 9wherein the second and third frames are farther apart in the openposition than they are in the closed position.
 12. The system of claim10 wherein the first and second fingerboards each include a plurality offingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and wherein thefingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the otherfingerboard.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the fingers on eachfingerboard interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard whenthe frames are in the closed position.
 14. A method, comprising thesteps of: a) providing a telescoping racking board at a desiredlocation, the racking board having closed and open configurations andbeing provided in the closed configuration; b) opening the racking boardfrom the closed configuration to the open configuration; c) storing atleast one tubular in the racking board; d) removing the tubular from theracking board; and e) closing the racking board from the openconfiguration to the closed configuration.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein the racking board includes a first frame and a second frame, thesecond frame being movable between an open position and a closedposition relative to the first frame, and at least a first fingerboardpivotably mounted on the second frame, and wherein the first fingerboardpivots between a first orientation when the second frame is in the openposition and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closedposition.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first orientation ofthe first fingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame andthe second orientation of the first fingerboard is not substantiallyparallel to the second frame.
 17. The method of claim 14, furtherincluding a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mountedthereon, wherein the third frame is movable between an open position anda closed position relative to the first frame.
 18. The method of claim17 wherein the second and third frames are farther apart in the openposition than they are in the closed position.
 19. The method of claim17 wherein the first and second fingerboards each include a plurality offingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and wherein thefingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the otherfingerboard.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the fingers on eachfingerboard interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard whenthe frames are in the closed position.